Stressed Over Your Career? 3 Reasons Why You Should Take Up a Hobby ASAP.

All too often we hear story after story about professionals in career distress. They’re stressed out, overworked, underpaid or underemployed. Their narrative of toxic workplaces and unemployment is becoming commonplace. Stressed-out workers are scrapped for time and those who are suffering from job loss are spending their time looking for work. The thought of taking on anything else, much less a silly hobby, is just not in the cards.

How would I know? I was one of them.

In 2013, I signed up for an 8-week watercolor class at a local art supply store after becoming pretty uninspired by my job. That one class was exactly what I needed to get out of my funk and flex my creative brain once again. And to this day, I still paint and create art – it’s now part of who I am.

So, if your work life is miserable, here are my top three reasons why having a hobby is super important.

Hobbies help you decompress

When your mind is engaged learning or practicing a hobby, there’s no room for your workplace worries and they seem to disappear. Focus and concentration on a positive activity can give your brain the break it needs from a negative place. Try stewing over your slime ball co-worker or shady former boss while working on model cars or baking a pie (spoiler alert: it probably won’t happen).

Hobbies activate your creative brain

While your mind is being activated by a new activity or learning process, it can open the doors for you to solve a current problem that you’ve been stressing about. A simple painting technique could inspire a brand new project process or team building idea. The best ideas usually come at the least expected times.

Hobbies help you build connections with others

So if your job sucks or you’re looking for a brand new gig, then it might be time to meet some brand new people and make some new friends. How about joining a photography or pottery class? You’ll expand your circle of friends and never know where your next job lead or business opportunity may come from.

What are some of your favorite hobbies you like to do to beat career-related stress? I’d love to know! Post your go-to activities in the comments for a chance to be featured on an upcoming post. :)